Probe mark reading device and probe mark reading method

ABSTRACT

A probe mark reading device for reading probe marks stormed on electrode pads of semiconductor chips contained in a semiconductor wafer ( 90 ), comprising a CCD camera ( 20 ) for taking an image of the semiconductor wafer ( 90 ) and outputting the image as an image signal Si, an optical unit ( 21 ) for optically enlarging a location to be photographed by the CCD camera ( 20 ), a light source ( 30 ) for illuminating the location to be photographed by the CCD camera ( 20 ) with a flash of light generated for a short period of time from when a flash signal Sf is provided, an X-Y stage ( 40 ) capable of changing a position to be photographed by the CCD camera ( 20 ) based on a motor control signal Sm by moving a mounted semiconductor wafer ( 90 ) in an X-direction and a Y-direction, and a computer ( 10 ) for providing control and saving the images after receiving and trimming the image signal Si. With the above configuration, it is possible to read probe marks in a short time without a user having to expend much time or effort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a probe mark reading device and a probemark reading method for reading probe marks formed on electrode pads byexamining electrical characteristics of a prescribed object (forexample, a semiconductor chip).

2. Description of the Related Art

Normally, in order to examine electrical characteristics of asemiconductor chip formed on a semiconductor wafer, pin-shaped testprobes are pressed against electrode pads within the semiconductor chip.Electrode pads are typically made from aluminum and are typicallycovered in an insulating aluminum oxide covering formed by oxidation atthe time of examination. The test probe is therefore pushed against theelectrode pad with a certain amount of force in order to break throughthe covering. As a result, probe marks (contact imprints) are formed bythe test probe. A determination can then be made as to whether or notthe test probe has been correctly pushed against the electrode pad byreading probe mark conditions such as the presence or absence, position,and depth etc. of a probe mark.

In the related art, devices for observing conditions of probe marksusing a microscope, devices that take photographs of the probe marks,and devices that take pictures of the probe marks using a CCD cameraexist as probe mark reading devices for reading conditions for probemarks. In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei. 5-3230, a probemark reading device is disclosed where a semiconductor wafer on whichsemiconductor chips are formed is mounted on a stage. Images obtained bytaking pictures of probe marks formed on electrode pads with a CCDcamera are then stored and displayed in an appropriate manner. With thisconfiguration, age deterioration in a probe mark is checked and temporalchanges in test probe pin-pressure and pin-shifts can be managed.

With devices detecting targets different from the electrode pads, suchas, for example, tape inspecting devices for inspecting repetitivepatterns disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei.9-222311 (and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,744), mark positiondetection devices for detecting alignment marks on a wafer as disclosedin, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei.10-281729, or sample surface scanning devices for examining for foreignbodies or blemishes on a wafer surface disclosed in, for example,Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei. 10-281729, a target issequentially photographed by moving the target and emitting a flash oflight at the position of the target in a synchronized manner.

However, with the probe mark reading device of the related art disclosedin, for example, Japanese Patent Publication Laid-open No. Hei. 5-3230,it is necessary to carry out positioning by having a user move thesemiconductor wafer mounted on a stage etc. so that probe marks formedon the electrode pads can be directly observed or photographed. However,in some cases there may be from a few tens of thousands to a fewhundreds of thousands of probe marks on the wafer as a whole and readingthe probe marks one at a time is both time-consuming and troublesome.

Moreover, devices for detecting a target different from an electrodepad, that move the target in the manner described above while taking aseries of photographs also exist (for example, refer to JapaneseLaid-open Publication No. Hei. 9-222311, Japanese Laid-open PatentPublication No. 10-281729, and Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei.11-326233). According to these devices, photographing can take place ina short period of time without being troublesome to the user. However,with these devices, photographing is repeated at the same period and aphotographing is carried out at a high-speed by making thepicture-taking interval fixed. Therefore, as with electrode pads, thearrangement is unlikely to be at equal intervals, and it is not plannedto take pictures at high speed of a target for which arrangementposition may be changed (depending on the wafer). The above devicestherefore cannot be easily used as devices for reading a multiplicity ofprobe marks formed at a multiplicity of electrode pads.

Further, in recent years, the number of times inspections are carriedout is increasing with increases in the aspects of a chip that aretested electrically and with the complexity of test content. Cases wherethe position of a test probe is therefore shifted a little at a time tobe parallel while tests are carried out to ensure that a hole is notmade in an electrode pad of a thickness that is usually in the order ofone micron are common. A plurality of probe marks are therefore formedon an electrode pad that has been subjected to a plurality of tests. Itis therefore difficult to determine which of a plurality of probe marksis a probe mark formed by the final test. It is, however, possible todetermine the position of the probe mark etc. from images photographedfor the electrode pads by performing a difference operation in pixelunits on an image for before the final test and an image for after thetest. However, this kind of difference operation is extremely timeconsuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a probemark reading device and a probe mark reading method capable of readingprobe marks without putting a user to a great deal of trouble and in ashort period of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a probe markreading device and probe mark reading method, and a probe mark testdevice and probe mark test method capable of rapidly determiningpositions etc. of probe marks based on images taken of electrode pads.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the present inventionhas the features described below.

In one aspect of the present invention, a probe mark reading device forreading probe marks formed on electrode pads during checking ofelectrical characteristics of a prescribed object including a pluralityof electrode pads comprises

an illuminating unit for illuminating the electrode pads,

a photographing unit for photographing the electrode pads illuminated bythe illuminating unit and outputting images obtained by photographing aselectrical signals;

a photographing position changing unit for consecutively changing aphotographing position to be photographed by the photographing unit, and

a storage unit for receiving the electrical signals from thephotographing unit and saving the image obtained from the electricalsignals,

wherein an image of an electrode pad to be photographed is supplied tothe photographing unit for just a prescribed time in the vicinity of thetime when the electrode pad is to be photographed by the photographingunit.

According to this configuration, images can be obtained for all of theelectrode pads as a result of the photographing position beingconsecutively changed by the photographing position changing unit andimages of electrode pads to be photographed by the photographing unitbeing provided for just a short period of time in the vicinity of thetime of photographing. With this configuration, it is possible toacquire images for electrode pads and read probe marks without putting auser to any trouble and in a short period of time.

With this kind of probe mark reading device,

the photographing position changing unit may also change thephotographing position at a predefined moving speed so as to enablephotographing in order of images for all of the electrode pads in such amanner as to open up a time gap of photographing time required toacquire a single image in the case of consecutive photographing by thephotographing unit or longer.

According to this configuration, photographing is carried out in orderat a prescribed speed while opening up a time gap of the time requiredfor photographing or more by the photographing position changing unit.It is also possible to move the photographing position at high speed.Moreover, it is possible to make the photographing conditions for eachphotographing position fixed when moving at a fixed speed.

With this probe mark reading device,

an image of an electrode pad to be photographed by the photographingunit may be provided as a result of the illuminating unit being providedwith a flash emitting a flash of light for just a prescribed period oftime in the vicinity of the time where the electrode pad is photographedby the photographing unit.

According to this kind of configuration, it is possible to take picturesof the electrode pads in order using the photographing unit, with theelectrode pads being lit up for just a short period of time by a burstof light from the illuminating unit. With this configuration, it ispossible to ensure that the image does not blur and also that images canbe captured with a device configuration that is straightforward andinexpensive compared with devices having physical shutters, etc.

This kind of probe mark reading device may also comprise

a storage unit for storing layout information that is data relating tolayout positions of the plurality of electrode pads, and

a trigger unit for calculating a position for the electrode pad to bephotographed by the photographing unit based on the layout informationstored in the storage unit and enabling a photograph to be taken by thephotographing unit when the photographing position coincides using thephotographing position changing unit with the position the electrode padis to be photographed at.

According to this configuration, as a result of calculating thephotographing positions of all of the pads to be photographed based onlayout information by the trigger unit, it is possible to read in alarge number of probe marks formed at a large number of pads even if theelectrode pads are not laid-out at equal intervals and/or thearrangement position on the semiconductor changes.

With this probe mark reading device,

there is provided a probe mark checking unit for determining quality ofprescribed probe marks included in the image based on the image storedin the storage unit, wherein the probe mark checking unit comprises

an initial vector calculator for calculating an initial vectorequivalent to a vector drawn from a position of a pre-registered modelprobe mark relating to a prescribed electrode pad selected from theplurality of electrode pads to a probe mark position formed on theprescribed electrode pad, and

a probe mark quality determination unit for determining whether or not aprobe mark formed on an electrode pad different to the prescribedelectrode pad is detected within a prescribed determination rangeincluding a position in the direction and distance of the initial vectorfrom the position of the pre-registered probe mark relating to thedifferent electrode pad.

According to this configuration, an initial vector is calculated from aprescribed electrode pad selected from the plurality of electrodes, andthe quality of the probe marks can be determined in probe mark checksfor other electrode pads based on the initial vector and a prescribeddetermination range. It is therefore possible to determine the qualityetc. of probe marks formed by a final electrical characteristic check ata high speed even in cases where a plurality of probe marks are includedin the image taken for an electrode pad.

Further, there is the possibility of erroneous detections etc. occurringdue to shifts at the time of acquisition of an image when detectingprobe marks formed by a final electrical characteristic check using adifference operation in pixel units but according to this configuration,reliable probe mark checks can be carried out without being influencedby shifting at the time of image acquisition or changes in pixelluminance etc. because relative position detection is carried out basedon an initial vector.

With this probe mark reading device,

the probe mark checking unit may include a probe mark positiondetermination unit for determining whether or not a probe mark overlapswith a prescribed region set for the vicinity of the edge of anelectrode pad including the probe mark detected by the probe markquality determination unit.

According to this configuration, since it is determined whether or notan area occupied by a probe mark overlaps with an area for a protectivepart (passivation part) normally formed in the vicinity of the edge ofthe electrode pad by making a determination, it is possible to determineusing a probe mark position determining unit that problems such asconduction defects may occur in electrical characteristic checks whenthese areas overlap.

With this probe mark reading device,

the probe mark checking unit may further comprise a classificationheader generator for generating classification header informationincluding information identifying each electrode pad included in theobject and determination results of the probe mark quality determinationunit and storing the classification header information correlatingcorresponding electrode pad images in the storage unit.

According to this configuration, images of electrode pads to be checkedcan be efficiently designated and read out from a storage unit duringdetailed checks carried out afterwards using the classification headerinformation that is created.

With this probe mark reading device,

the initial vector calculator may comprise

a detector for detecting probe marks formed by the electricalcharacteristic check by performing a difference operation on the imagessaved in the storage unit and images for the prescribed electrode padstaken in advance before checking the electrical characteristics, and

a calculator for calculating an initial vector equivalent to the vectorfrom the position of the probe mark taken as the pre-registered modelcorrelating to the prescribed electrode pad to the position of the probemark detected by the detector.

According to this configuration, a time-consuming image differenceoperation is only carried out when calculating the initial vector, withprobe mark quality being determined based on the initial vector and theprescribed determination range in probe mark checks other than this. Itis therefore possible to determine the quality etc. of probe marksformed by a final electrical characteristic check at a high speed evenin cases where a plurality of probe marks are included in the imagetaken for an electrode pad.

With this probe mark reading device,

the initial vector calculator calculates the initial vector based on thevector from the position of the probe mark that is the pre-registeredmodel correlating to each of the electrode pads for four electrodespositioned in the vicinity of the corners of the object to the positionof the probe mark formed on each of the electrode pads, and

the probe mark quality determination unit determines whether or not aprobe mark formed on an electrode pad different to the prescribed fourelectrode pads is detected within a prescribed determination rangeincluding a position in the direction and distance of the initial vectorfrom the position of the pre-registered probe mark relating to thedifferent electrode pad.

According to this configuration, because the initial vector iscalculated by taking note of four electrode pads positioned in thevicinity of the corners of the object (for example, a semiconductorchip), slight shifts that may occur in the X or Y directions or in thedirection of rotation during mounting of the object can be sufficientlyand reliably averaged and probe mark quality etc. can be determined athigh speed because the initial vector is calculated using a small numberof electrode pads.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a probe mark test devicefor checking probe marks formed on electrode pads during checking ofelectrical characteristics of a prescribed object including a pluralityof electrode pads comprises

an initial vector calculator for calculating an initial vectorequivalent to a vector drawn from a position of a pre-registered modelprobe mark relating to a prescribed electrode pad selected from theplurality of electrode pads to a position of a probe mark included in animage for the electrode pad obtained by photographing the electrode pad,and

a probe mark quality determination unit for determining whether or not aprobe mark formed on an electrode pad different to the prescribedelectrode pad is detected within a prescribed determination rangeincluding a position in the direction and distance of the initial vectorfrom the position of the pre-registered probe mark relating to thedifferent electrode pad.

According to this configuration, the difference with the aforementionedaspect of the present invention is that a photographing unit etc. is notassumed, but, as with the above configuration, it is still possible todetermine the quality etc. of probe marks formed by a final electricalcharacteristic check at a high speed even in cases where a plurality ofprobe marks are included in an image taken in advance for an electrodepad. Further, there is the possibility of erroneous detections etc.occurring due to shifts at the time of acquisition of an image whendetecting probe marks formed by a final electrical characteristic checkusing a difference operation in pixel units, but according to thisconfiguration, reliable probe mark checks can be carried out withoutbeing influenced by shifting at the time of image acquisition or changesin pixel luminance etc. because relative position detection is carriedout based on an initial vector.

In a still further aspect of the present invention, a probe mark readingmethod for reading probe marks formed on electrode pads during checkingof electrical characteristics of a prescribed object including aplurality of electrode pads comprises

an illuminating step of illuminating the electrode pads,

a photographing step of photographing the electrode pads illuminated inthe illuminating step and outputting images obtained by photographing aselectrical signals,

an image position changing step of consecutively changing aphotographing position to be photographed in the photographing step, and

a storage step of receiving the electrical signals outputted in thephotographing step and saving images obtained from the electricalsignals,

wherein an image of an electrode pad to be photographed in thephotographing step is supplied for just a prescribed time in thevicinity of the time when the electrode pad is to be photographed in thephotographing step.

In another aspect of the present invention, a probe mark test method forchecking probe marks formed on electrode pads during checking ofelectrical characteristics of a prescribed object including a pluralityof electrode pads comprises

an initial vector calculating step of calculating an initial vectorequivalent to a vector drawn from a position of a pre-registered modelprobe mark relating to a prescribed electrode pad selected from theplurality of electrode pads to a position of a probe mark including animage for the electrode pad obtained by photographing the electrode pad,and

a probe mark quality determination step of determining whether or not aprobe mark formed on an electrode pad different to the prescribedelectrode pad is detected within a prescribed determination rangeincluding a position in the direction and distance of the initial vectorfrom the position of the pre-registered probe mark relating to thedifferent electrode pad.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block view showing a configuration for a probe mark readingdevice of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a photographing operation of theembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block view showing an outline of a configuration for acomputer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block view showing the configuration of functions of acomputer of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an operation for generating a triggersignal St of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a relationship betweenphotographing position and memory address of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating trimming processing of theembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure relating to aphotographing operation for the computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an image including an image takenfor two electrode pads of a modified example of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of an image including an imagetaken for four and a half electrode pads of a modified example of theembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure whencarrying out probe mark checking in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure relating to aprobe mark checking operation for the computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure forinitial vector calculation processing for the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an image difference operation of theembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating initial vector calculation ofthe embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating extents of shifts occurring dueto a first probe in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating extents of shifts occurring dueto a second probe in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure for probe markquality determination processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of probe mark detection in probemark quality determination processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a further example of probe mark detection inprobe mark quality determination processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a view showing maximum values and minimum values forX-coordinates and Y-coordinates of probe marks of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a view showing borderlines for determining the extent ofproximity of the region occupied by probe marks and adjacent protectivepart in the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description, with reference to the appendeddrawings, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1. Overall Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block view showing a configuration for a probe mark readingdevice of an embodiment of the present invention. The probe mark readingdevice for reading probe marks formed on electrode pads of semiconductorchips contained on a semiconductor wafer 90 comprises a CCD camera 20for taking images of the semiconductor wafer 90, an optical unit 21 foroptically enlarging an image of a location to be photographed by the CCDcamera 20, a light source 30 for illuminating the location to bephotographed by the CCD camera 20, an X-Y stage 40 including a mountingtable mounted with the semiconductor wafer 90 and being capable ofchanging a position to be photographed by the CCD camera 20 by movingthe mounting table in an X-direction and a Y-direction, and a computer10 for controlling the above. It is taken that there is no light sourceother than the light source 30.

The CCD camera 20 is fixed at a prescribed position above the X-Y stage40 mounted with the semiconductor wafer 90 and takes images ofprescribed portions of the semiconductor wafer 90 enlarged by theoptical unit 21, i.e. images of the vicinity of prescribed electrodepads, a plurality of which are contained on the semiconductor chipwithin the semiconductor wafer 90, as two-dimensional images based on atrigger signal St from the computer 10, with two-dimensional imagesobtained as a result of this photographing being outputted as an imagesignal Si. Specifically, the CDD camera 20 takes a picture by opening ashutter built-into the CDD camera 20 at the time when a trigger signalSt is provided, and then closing the shutter after a flash of light isemitted by the light source 30 (described later). The CCD camera 20 isan imaging device utilizing a monochrome or color Charge-Coupled Device(CCD) as an image sensor. However, it is also possible to use sensingdevices utilizing Metal Oxide Semiconductors (MOS) or imaging deviceshaving other photoelectric conversion functions.

The optical unit 21 forms an optically enlarged (enlarged by ten totwenty times in this case) image of a prescribed portion of thesemiconductor wafer 90 at the CCD camera 20 using one or more built-inlenses. The optical unit 21 may be omitted if the resolution of the CCDcamera 20 is sufficiently high.

The light source 30 is fixed at a prescribed position above thesemiconductor wafer 90 and is a xenon flash lamp for illuminating theprescribed portion to be photographed by the CCD camera 20. The lightsource 30 lights up the prescribed portion by generating ahigh-intensity burst of light for just a short time of a fewmicroseconds from the time of being provided with a flash signal Sfoutputted directly after the trigger signal St is outputted from thecomputer 10. The time for which the burst lights up is extremely shortcompared to the usual shutter speed of a camera (a few milliseconds) butthis is in order to prevent an image obtained through photographing frombecoming blurred due to movement of the semiconductor wafer 90 that isthe subject being photographed. The lighting up by the high-intensitylight source 30 is in order to obtain the amount of light necessary totake a picture with the CCD camera 20 in a short period of time. Thelight source 30 may therefore simply be a light source capable ofreleasing high-intensity light for a short period of time, and may alsobe, for example, and LED or laser light source. The time from thetrigger signal St being outputted to the flash signal Sf being outputtedis short enough to be ignored and in the following it is taken thatthese signals are outputted at substantially the same time.Specifically, the flash signal Sf can be generated by inputting thetrigger signal St to a delay circuit having an extremely short delaytime.

The semiconductor wafer 90 is mounted on a moveable mounting tableprovided on the upper side of the X-Y stage 40. The X-Y stage 40 alsoincludes a motor (for example, a stepping motor, servo motor, or linearmotor, etc.) for moving the mounting table in an X-direction and aY-direction, and an encoder (for example, various types of motor encoderor linear scales) for determining distances the mounting table moves inthe X-direction and the Y-direction. The motor included at the X-Y stage40 is controlled based on a motor control signal Sm from the computer 10and is driven so as to move the mounting table to a prescribed position.Further, the encoder contained at the X-Y stage 40 outputs an encodersignal Se including an X-Encoder Pulse (hereafter abbreviated to “Xpulse signal”) that is a pulse signal generated every time the mountingtable moves a unit distance in the X-direction, a Y-Up Pulse (hereafterabbreviated to “Y pulse signal”) that is a pulse signal generated everytime the mounting table moves a unit distance in the Y direction, anX-reset (hereinafter referred to as “X reset signal”) that is a signalgenerated when the mounting table is positioned on the X-axis at areference position in the X-direction, and a Y-reset (hereinafterreferred to as “Y reset signal”) that is a signal generated when themounting table is positioned on the Y-axis at a reference position inthe Y-direction.

This probe mark reading device moves the semiconductor wafer 90 mountedon the mounting table in the X-direction at a fixed speed using the X-Ystage 40, with pictures being taken using the CCD camera 20 in order ofthe electrode pads lit up at prescribed timings by bursts of light fromthe light source 30. All of the electrode pads included in thesemiconductor chips on the semiconductor wafer 90 are photographed bymoving the semiconductor wafer 90 a prescribed distance in the Ydirection (i.e. one line portion) every time a photographing operationin the X-direction finishes and repeating the photographing operation inthe X-direction. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating this kind ofphotographing operation.

The view in the upper half of FIG. 2 is an outline view showing thepositional relationship of the (mounting table of the) X-Y stage 40 andthe semiconductor wafer 90. An X-Y coordinate system and origin areshown in the upper left of FIG. 2 and these are the X-Y coordinatesystem and origin for the X-Y stage 40. Further, the position of the CCDcamera 20 is set with respect to the X-Y stage 40 in such a manner thatthe X-Y coordinate system becomes the same as the coordinate system forimages obtained by photographing with the CCD camera 20 and in such amanner that the origin position becomes the same as the central position(hereafter referred to as “photographing position”) of images obtainedby taking pictures.

The view shown in the lower half of FIG. 2 is a view showing a locus forthe photographing position when electrode pads 92 within semiconductorchips 91 contained in the semiconductor wafer 90 are photographed usingthe CCD camera 20. P1 in FIG. 2 shows the photographing position(hereafter referred to as “start position”) when the photographingoperation is started and P2 in FIG. 2 shows the photographing position(hereafter referred to as “end position”) when the photographingoperation is finished. The CCD camera 20 takes pictures of the electrodepads 92 arranged (in rows) in the X-direction from the start position P1in order at prescribed timings as a result of movement of the mountingtable included at the X-Y stage 40 in the negative X-direction. When thephotographing position exceeds the right end side of the semiconductorchip 91, the electrode pads 92 to be photographed are moved one lineportion in the Y-direction by moving the mounting table included in theX-Y stage 40 in the negative Y-direction. The electrode pads 92 arrangedin the negative X-direction are therefore photographed similarly inorder at prescribed timings by moving the mounting table included in theX-Y stage 40 in the X-direction. The photographing position then reachesthe end position P2 by repeating the above photographing operation sothat all of the electrode pads 92 within the semiconductor chips 91 arephotographed. This photographing operation is carried out for all of thesemiconductor chips. The above photographing operation is controlled bythe computer 10. The configuration of the computer 10 and thephotographing operation are described below.

2. Computer Configuration and Photographing Operation

This computer 10 is a typical computer system such as, for example, apersonal computer or work station, etc. FIG. 3 is a block view showingan outline of a configuration for the computer 10 of the embodiment. Thecomputer 10 is comprised of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 forcarrying out various processing operations, an input output interface 12for connecting input devices such as an external keyboard and mouse etc.and display devices such as LCDs or CRTs etc. to an internal bus 17, RAM(Random Access Memory) 13 for temporarily storing data and programs, ROM(Read Only Memory) 14 for pre-storing prescribed programs etc., a harddisc 16 serving as a large capacity storage device, and a disc interface15 for connecting the hard disc 16 to the internal bus 17.

Further, by executing prescribed programs stored in RAM 13 from externalstorage media such as CD-ROMs or communication lines via the inputoutput interface 12 etc., the computer 10 executes processing to receiveimage signals Si from the CDD camera 20, provide a trigger signal St tothe CCD camera 20, provide a flash signal Sf to the light source 30,receive an encode signal Se from the X-Y stage 40, and provide a motorcontrol signal Sm to the X-Y stage 40. The following is a descriptionwith reference to the drawings of each function configuration andphotographing operation of the computer 10 including these softwareprocesses.

FIG. 4 is a block view showing a configuration for functions of thecomputer 10. This computer 10 is comprised of a trigger signal generator110 for receiving the encoder signal Se and outputting the triggersignal St and the flash signal Sf at prescribed timings, an X-Y stagecontroller 120 for receiving the encode signal Se and outputting themotor control signal Sm, an image reader 130 for receiving the imagesignal Si, a temporary storage unit 140 for temporarily storing imagedata Di, an image trimmer 150 for performing prescribed trimmingprocessing on the image data Di, a large capacity storage unit 160 forsaving trimmed image data Di′ in order to perform probe mark checksafterwards, and a probe mark checking unit 170 for checking probe marksbased on image data Di′ stored in the large capacity storage unit 160.The probe mark checking unit 170 carries out probe mark checking afterthe photographing operation described below, but this operation isdescribed later.

The trigger signal generator 110 writes prescribed data to a prescribedaddress of the RAM 13 in advance and outputs the trigger signal St andthe flash signal Sf at a prescribed timing based on the encoder signalSe. The following is a description of the operation with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an operation for generating the triggersignal St. The trigger signal generator 110 shown in FIG. 5 is equippedwith a Y-coordinate read address counter 112, an X-coordinate readaddress counter 114, a selector 116, and memory 118, as functionalstructural elements relating to generation of the trigger signal St. TheY-coordinate read address counter 112 counts a pulse expressing theY-pulse signal (Y-Up Pulse) and outputs the count value as a memoryaddress signal (Y-coordinate address signal) corresponding to theY-coordinate, and when a Y-reset signal (Y-Reset) is inputted, the countvalue is forcibly set as an address value corresponding to a prescribedY-coordinate corresponding to the reference position in the Y-direction.The X-coordinate read address counter 114 counts a pulse expressing theX-pulse signal (X-Encoder Pulse) and outputs the count value as a memoryaddress signal (X-coordinate address signal) corresponding to theX-coordinate, and when an X-reset signal (X-Reset) is inputted, thecount value is forcibly set as an address value corresponding to aprescribed X-coordinate corresponding to the reference position in theX-direction. The Y-coordinate address signal and the X-coordinateaddress signal outputted from the Y-coordinate read address counter 112and the X-coordinate read address counter 114 are inputted to theselector 116. A signal (hereafter referred to as “write address signal”)expressing a write address (write Address) corresponding to a coordinatecorresponding to the center of an electrode pad and data (hereafterreferred to as “write DATA”)to be written to the write address areinputted to the selector 116. The selector 116 selects one of two typesof address signal from the write address signal and a read addresssignal comprised of a Y-coordinate address signal and an X-coordinateaddress signal and provides the selected address signal to memory 118.When the write address signal is selected at this time, the write datais also supplied to the memory 118 and the write data is written to anaddress expressed this write address signal at the memory 118. On theother hand, when the read address signal is selected, data at an addressexpressed by this read address signal is read from the memory 118 andoutputted from the trigger signal generator 110 as the trigger signalSt.

The trigger signal generator 110 having the above construction receiveslayout information Ia (for example, coordinate information etc.expressing the position of each electrode pad 92 in a prescribedcoordinate system set with respect to the semiconductor chip 91)relating to the layout of the semiconductor chips 91 included at thesemiconductor wafer 90 and the layout of the electrode pads 92 from awafer information storage unit 105 for storing information relating tothe semiconductor wafer 90 provided externally to this probe markreading device and calculates coordinates (hereafter referred to as“center coordinates of pads”) corresponding to central positions of allof the electrode pads 92 to be taken as photographing targets includedin the semiconductor chip 91 based on this layout information Ia. Thecalculated coordinates are converted to respective corresponding memoryaddresses, and data (in this case “1”) expressing the presence of acentral coordinate for a pad is written to the address in the memory118. Specifically, as described above, the memory address is input tothe selector 116 as a write address (Write Address), and write data(Write Data) of “1” is inputted to the selector 116. The selector 116writes “1” to a corresponding address of the memory 118. The memoryaddress is set to uniquely correspond to the X-coordinate. A straightline linking central coordinates of each electrode 92 in the X-directioncoincides with a straight line linking photographing positions in theX-direction, and an X-coordinate of a photographing position cantherefore be specified by specifying the memory address.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a relationship between this kindof photographing position and memory address. A square frame laid outalong a straight line linking the central coordinates of the electrodepad 92 shown in FIG. 6 in the X-direction represents a memory address,with numeric characters within the frame expressing data written to thememory address. In FIG. 6, “1” is written to an address corresponding tothe central coordinate of the pad, and the trigger signal generator 110outputs a trigger signal St when the photographing position coincideswith a position corresponding to this address.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a prescribed memory addresscorresponding to a Y-coordinate is set by the Y-coordinate read addresscounter 112 every time a Y-pulse signal included in the encoder signalSe from the X-Y stage 40 is inputted and is supplied to the selector116. Further, when an X-reset signal is inputted, a prescribed memoryaddress corresponding to the X-axis is set. Further, when the Y-resetsignal is inputted, reading from the first position of the memoryaddress is started. Moreover, the memory address is incremented by theX-coordinate read address counter 114 every time the X-pulse signal isinputted, data is read in order from the memory address by the selector116, and a trigger signal St is immediately output when a “1” is read.The electrode pad 92 is then photographed when the central coordinate ofthe pad coincides with the photographing position.

Strictly speaking, the time of photographing is the time that the flashsignal Sf is outputted directly after outputting of the trigger signalSt but both are substantially the same time and in reality there is nodifference. As shown in FIG. 2, all straight lines linking the centralpositions of each electrode pad 92 in the Y-direction is taken to beparallel to the Y-axis. Namely, the layout pattern in the X-directionfor each of the electrode pads 92 is taken to repeat in the Y-direction.

The X-Y stage controller 120 receives the encoder signal Se indicatingthe position of the mounting table of the X-Y stage 40 on which thesemiconductor wafer 90 is mounted, generates a prescribed motor controlSignal Sm for moving the mounting stage to the prescribed position, andprovides this motor control signal Sm to the X-Y stage 40. Specifically,as described above for the view shown in the lower half of FIG. 2,feedback control is carried out in such a manner as to move the mountingtable of the X-Y stage 40 so that the photographing position traces thelocus shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 during photographing by the CCDcamera 20. This moving speed is a fixed speed and decided in such amanner as to move the photographing position from the center position ofa certain electrode pad to the center position of an electrode padadjacent in the X-direction to the certain pad in the same amount oftime or longer as the time (hereafter referred to as photographing time)required to acquire a single image when acquiring images consecutivelyin order using the CCD camera 20. If movement is achieved within a timeshorter than the photographing time, then it is no longer possible tophotograph (the central positions of) all of the electrode pads. Thephotographing time is in the order of, for example, 30 milliseconds.Further, it is not necessary for the moving speed to be fixed, but whenthe moving speed is fixed, it is preferable for the photographingconditions at each photographing position to be fixed.

The image reader 130 receives the image signal Si obtained by the CCDcamera 20 and generates and outputs image data Di that is an imagephotographed for the electrode pad and the vicinity of the electrode padfrom this image signal Si. This image data Di is temporarily stored in aprescribed area of the RAM 13 by the temporary storage unit 140.

The image trimmer 150 generates trimmed image data Di′ by performingtrimming on the image data Di stored by the temporary storage unit 140so as to delete prescribed areas of the photographed image to theoutside of the vicinity of the electrode pad 92.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating this trimming processing. Animage 51 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the image data Di and the centralcoordinate of the electrode pad 92 coincides with the photographingposition. Further, a trimming boundary line 52 shown by the dashed linein FIG. 7 includes the image photographed for the electrode pad 92 andis set as a boundary line encompassing a region slightly larger than theperiphery of the electrode pad 92. A central position of the regionwithin the trimming boundary line 52 is set to coincide with the centralcoordinate of the electrode pad 92. It is therefore straightforward toset the trimming boundary line 52 with respect to the image 51. Trimmedimage data Di′ is therefore easily created from an image taken for theelectrode pad 92 within the trimming boundary line 52 without it beingnecessary to perform trimming processing by recognizing the image takenfor the electrode pad 92 using well-known image recognition processingmethods. The trimmed image data Di′ is saved to the hard disc 16 by thelarge capacity storage unit 160 via the disc interface 15. The imagedata Di′ saved by the large capacity storage unit 160 is then taken asthe subject of probe mark checking by the probe mark checking unit 170.The following is a description with reference to the drawings of aprocessing procedure relating to the operation for photographing of thecomputer 10 corresponding to the above functions.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure relating to aphotographing operation for the computer 10. The trigger signalgenerator 110 that is a function of the computer 10 carries out initialsetting processing to receive layout information Ia relating to thelayout of the semiconductor chips 91 included at the semiconductor wafer90 and the layout of the electrode pads 92 etc. from the waferinformation storage unit 105, calculate center coordinates for all ofthe electrode pads 92 included in the semiconductor chip 91, convert thecalculated coordinates into corresponding memory addresses, and writedata “1” indicating the presence of a central coordinate of a pad in thememory address (step S10). Center coordinates for all of the electrodepads 92 included in all of the semiconductor chips may then becalculated and written to corresponding memory addresses.

Next, the X-Y stage controller 120 generates a prescribed motor controlsignal Sm in order to move the position of the mounting table of the X-Ystage 40 on which the semiconductor wafer 90 is mounted in order toalign the photographing position of the CCD camera 20 with a prescribedstart position P1 and provides this motor control signal Sm to the X-Ystage 40. Further, when the photographing position of the CCD camera 20is aligned with the prescribed start position P1, the prescribed motorcontrol signal Sm is provided to the X-Y stage 40 in order to move themounting table at the fixed aforementioned speed of movement in theX-direction based on the consecutively received encoder signals Seexpressing the position of the mounting table (step S20).

Next, the trigger signal generator 110 determines whether or not thecenter coordinate of the pad coincides with the photographing positionbased on the encoder signal Se (step S30). When there is no coincidence,the determination of step S30 is repeated. When there is coincidence,the trigger signal generator 110 outputs a trigger signal St (step S40).Outputting of the flash signal Sf directly after outputting of thetrigger signal St is then as described above.

Next, the image reader 130 receives the image signal Si obtained by theCCD camera 20, generates image data Di that is an image photographed forthe electrode pad and the vicinity of the electrode pad from this imagesignal S, and the temporary storage unit 140 temporarily stores thisimage data Di (step S50).

Next, the X-Y stage controller 120 makes a determination as to whetheror not image reading in the X-direction is complete due to thephotographing position of the CCD camera 20 exceeding the centercoordinate of the electrode pad 92 at the furthermost end based on theencoder signal Se (step S60). If this is not the case, the processingreturns to step S30, the process of sending a trigger signal at the timeof a trigger is repeated until the image reading in the X-direction iscomplete (step S60→S30→S40→S50→S60). When image reading in theX-direction is complete, a determination is made as to whether or notthe photographing position has reached the end position P2 (step S70).When image reading in the X-direction is not complete, step S30 isreturned to after carrying out a process from step S80 to S110 describedbelow, and the process is repeated until the photographing positionreaches the end position P2 (S70→S80→S90→S100→S110→S30→S40→S50→S60→S70).A description is now given of the process from S80 to S110.

When a determination is made in the process in step S70 that thephotographing position has not reached the end position P2, the X-Ystage controller 120 generates a prescribed motor control signal Sm andprovides this signal to the X-Y stage 40 in order to move the positionof the mounting table of the X-Y stage 40 mounted with the semiconductorwafer 90 so that the photographing position of the CDD camera 20 linesup with the Y-coordinate corresponding to the line for the followingelectrode pad (step S80).

Next, the image trimmer 150 generates trimmed image data Di′ byperforming trimming on the image data Di stored by the temporary storageunit 140 so as to cut-out prescribed areas other than the area includingthe image photographed for the electrode pad 92 (step S90). Thistrimming process is carried out collectively for all of the image dataDi (specifically, images taken for all of the electrode pads 92 laid-outin the X-direction) stored by the temporary storage unit 140.

Next, the image trimmer 150 creates data for the trimmed image data Di′that is added with supplemental information including prescribed numbersand comments utilized by the probe mark checking unit 170 when checkingprobe marks (step S100). Further, the large capacity storage unit 160stores the data with the supplemental information added by the imagetrimmer 150 (step S110). After this, the above processing returns tostep S30 and the processing is repeated until the photographing positionreaches the end position P2.

The processing from steps S90 to S110 can be carried out using themoving time for moving the position of the mounting table of the X-Ystage 40 in the processing of step S80. When the processing speed of thecomputer 10 and the storing speed of the hard disc 16 are sufficientlyfast, a configuration can be adopted where these processes are carriedout immediately after the image capture processing of step S50. Theseprocesses may also be carried out concurrently with the processing ofstep S80 (and processes executed thereafter).

When it is determined in step S60 that the photographing position hasreached the end position P2, the image capture operation for thesemiconductor chip is complete. Further, when there is a semiconductorchip for which images are to be read-in present, the above processing isstarted from the beginning after completion of the probe mark checkingoperation described in the following.

3. Computer Probe Mark Checking Operation

Next, a description is given with reference to the drawings of aprocessing procedure relating to the operation for checking probe marksof the computer 10. An image taken of an electrode pad including a probemark taken as a model and an image taken of an electrode pad 92 includedthe semiconductor chip 91 before forming a probe mark formed by checkingelectrical characteristics (hereinafter referred to as “probe test”) onthe subject to be checked for probe marks are necessary in the operationfor checking for probe marks. A description is now given for the overallprocessing procedure including the probe mark checking operation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the overall processing procedure whencarrying out probe mark checking in this embodiment. In step S1,photographing (image processing for model registration) is carried outin order to register probe marks as models formed under ideal conditionson all of the electrode pads included at a prescribed semiconductorchip. Specifically, when the subject to be checked for probe marks is asyet not influenced in any way by the prescribed test probe (for example,in the case of a new product), in order to make the position of a newlyformed probe mark clear, a probe mark is formed using a prescribed testprobe on a dummy wafer that as yet has no probe marks, or on a new chip.The positions etc. of probe marks formed in this manner are thereforesubstantially ideal with no abnormalities. Processing is then carriedout in order to use all of the images for the electrode pads formed withprobe marks in this way in the following probe mark check operation.This photographing operation is exactly the same as the photographingoperation described above with reference to FIG. 8 etc. and descriptionthereof is therefore omitted.

In step S2, processing (model registration processing) is carried out tocalculate and save barycentric coordinates for probe marks constitutingthe model by analyzing the images for the electrode pads including theprobe marks constituting the models obtained by image processing formodel registration (step S1). Publicly known methods are used tocalculate barycentric coordinates using this kind of image analysis. Forexample, the region occupied by the probe mark included in the image orthe pixels constituting the boundary are detected based on luminance ofthe pixels and the barycentric coordinates of the probe marks arecalculated based on the coordinates of the pixels. The barycentriccoordinates are coordinates in a prescribed coordinate system presetwith respect to the semiconductor chip 91. The manner in which layoutinformation Ia including in the information relating to this coordinatesystem is stored in the wafer information storage unit 105 is describedabove. The barycentric coordinates are calculated for all of the probemarks and are stored in the large capacity storage unit 160 togetherwith information such as prescribed numbers utilized at the time ofprobe-mark checking due to the probe mark checking unit 170. In thefollowing, various calculations are carried out based on barycentriccoordinates for the probe marks but coordinates for characteristicpoints expressing included properties that are common to all of theprobe marks (such as, for example, minimum Y-coordinate imagecoordinates, etc.) may also be used in place of the barycentriccoordinates.

Information obtained through the processing of step S1 and step S2 canbe used repeatedly until the prescribed test probe exhibits abnormality.To this end, it will suffice to carry out these processes once the testprobe has been used, etc. In cases where it is possible that theprescribed test probe will be mounted at any one of a plurality of testdevices, a configuration is preferable where the information is sharedby the plurality of test devices via a prescribed network, etc.

In step S3, photographing (image processing for use in differenceoperations) of the electrode pads included at the semiconductor chip 91before a probe test is carried out. This image processing may be carriedout for all of the electrode pads included at a prescribed semiconductorchip 91 or may be carried out for only the four electrode pads arrangedin the vicinity of the corners of the semiconductor chip 91. This mayalso be carried out for all of the electrode pads of the semiconductorchips included on the semiconductor wafer 90. It is possible to detectonly probe marks formed by the final probe test even when a plurality ofprobe marks are formed at a single electrode pad by performingdifference operations on images obtained by the image processing andimages for after a plurality of probe tests. In this embodiment, adifference operation is not carried out for all of the electrode padsbut a description is given later with respect to the details of thecontent. The electrode pad images obtained by this difference operationimage processing can be used in detailed check of the probe marks (stepS7 described later), so that when utilized in a detailed check, it ispreferable to carry out the above photographing processing on all of thesemiconductor chips.

In step S4, probe testing is carried out on all of the semiconductorchips included in a prescribed semiconductor wafer 90 using a prescribedprobe test device installed with the prescribed test probe. Probe marksto be taken as targets of probe mark testing are formed by the probetests.

In step S5, photographing (image processing for use in probe markchecks) of electrode pads including probe marks formed by the probetests is carried out by the probe mark reading device. This operation isthe above photographing operation described with reference to FIG. 8etc. This differs from the case for the model registration imageprocessing (step S1) in that there is the possibility that one or moreprobe marks formed by a different probe test (for example, for theprevious time or earlier) may also be present in the image for theelectrode pad obtained by photographing as well as the probe mark formedby the probe test.

In step S6, prescribed probe mark checking processing is carried outbased on electrode pad images obtained in image processing for use inprobe mark checks (step S5). The detailed contents of this process aredescribed in the following.

A further detailed check is carried out in step S7 based on resultsobtained in step S6 (probe mark checking processing). For example, animage for an electrode pad, including a probe mark determined to bedefective by the probe mark checking process is read from the largecapacity storage unit 160 and a detailed analysis of the shape and sizeof the probe mark etc. is performed. This detailed check is typicallycarried out under the observation of an operator. This detailed checkmay be omitted if necessary.

Next, a description is given of the detailed procedure for the probemark checking operation shown in step S6. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showingthe processing procedure relating to a probe mark checking operation ofthe computer 10.

First, a probe mark checking unit 170 that is one function implementedby the computer 10 carries out initial vector calculation processing(step S210) to calculate a vector (hereinafter referred to as “initialvector”) indicating the extent to which the position of the probe markformed due to the probe test differs from the position of the probe markregistered as a model (step S210). A description of the details of theprocessing (subroutine) for this initial vector calculation processingwill now be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchartshowing the procedure for this subroutine.

The probe mark checking unit 170 reads out image data for the corners ofimages of electrode pads obtained in the probe mark checking imageprocessing (step S5), i.e. reads out data for four electrode pads(hereafter referred to as “corner pads”) arranged in the vicinity of thefour corners from the large capacity storage unit 160 (step S211).

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 detects the probe mark formed dueto the probe test from the images for the corner pads obtained in stepS211 (step S212). When just one probe mark is included in the image foreach of the corner pads, detection of the probe mark is straightforward.However, there are also cases where one or more probe marks formed bydifferent (previously carried out or earlier) probe tests exist inaddition to the probe mark formed by the probe test. In this case, theprobe mark formed by the probe test on this occasion is detected byperforming a difference operation between the images of the corner padsobtained in step S211 and the images for the corner pads before thisprobe test obtained in the image processing for use in differenceoperations (step S3). FIG. 14 is a view illustrating this differenceoperation. Image A in FIG. 14 shows an image for a corner pad for beforea probe test and image B of FIG. 14 shows an image for a corner padafter a probe test. If a difference operation is then performed betweenimage B and image A, portions that are common to both images shown bythe dashed line in image C are deleted so that, as shown in image C, animage only for a corner pad including only a probe mark formed by theprobe test on this occasion is obtained. This probe mark is referred toas a corner probe mark.

Continuing on, the probe mark checking unit 170 calculates barycentriccoordinates for the corner probe mark from an image for the corner padincluding the corner probe mark obtained in step S212 (step S213). Thewell-known method for calculating these barycentric coordinates isdescribed above for the model registration processing (step S2) and thefact that the barycentric coordinates are coordinates of a prescribedcoordinate system preset in the semiconductor chip 91 is also describedabove.

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 calculates a barycentriccoordinate central position Ci from the barycentric coordinates for thecorner probe marks obtained in step S213 (step S214). The barycentricposition of the probe mark does not always coincide with the centralposition of an electrode pad and the central position Ci is thereforethe vicinity for which there is no coincidence with the central positionof the semiconductor chip 91.

Further, the probe mark checking unit 170 reads baryocentric coordinatesof probe marks of the baryocentric coordinates of probe marks taken asmodels saved in the model registration process (step S1) that are forprobe marks (hereafter referred to as model corner probe marks) taken asmodels for the electrode pads positioned in the vicinity of the fourcorners of the semiconductor chip (step S215).

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 calculates a barycentriccoordinate central position Cm from the barycentric coordinates for themodel corner probe marks read in step S215 (step S216). This centralposition Cm is the vicinity where the central position of thesemiconductor chip 91 and the central position Ci do not coincide.

Finally, the probe mark checking unit 170 calculates a vector (hereafterreferred to as “initial vector”) drawn from the central position Cmcalculated in step S216 to the central position Ci calculated in stepS214. (step S217). This initial vector can then be used in the followingprocessing as a vector indicating shifts from the probe mark registeredas a model to a probe mark formed by the probe test. When the subroutineprocessing shown above ends, the processing shown in FIG. 12 is returnedto.

The reason for calculating the initial vector using the central positionCi calculated based on the barycentric coordinates for the corner probemark and the central position Cm calculated based on barycentriccoordinate of the model corner probe mark is described in detail withreference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating initialvector calculation. A semiconductor chip 910 shown in FIG. 15 has sixelectrode pads 921 to 926 and these electrode pads include probe marks931 to 936 formed by a probe test. The probe marks 831 to 836 registeredas models corresponding to these probe marks are shown by the dottedlines in FIG. 15 and the barycentric positions of the probe marks areshown by cross-marks. An intersection point of a line connectingbarycentric positions of the corner probe marks 933 and 934 of thesemiconductor chip 910 and a line connecting barycentric positions ofthe corner probe marks 931 and 936 is taken as a central position Ci ofthese probe marks. Similarly, an intersection point of a line connectingbarycentric positions of model corner probe marks 833 and 834 and a lineconnecting barycentric positions of model corner probe marks 831 and 836is taken as a central position Cm of these probe marks.

An initial vector Vi that is a vector going from the central position Cmto the central position Ci is not completely the same as vectors fromthe barycentric positions of the model corner probe marks 831, 833, 834and 836 to the barycentric positions of the corresponding corner probemarks 931, 933, 934 and 936. The reason for this is that the (forexample, new) test probe forming the probe marks taken as models has anideal arrangement and vectors indicating directions of shifting of thetest probe should all be the same and should be equal to the initialvectors. However, a test probe used a number of times in probe tests maybecome bent, chipped or worn etc. due to age deterioration so that thearrangement may shift from the ideal. Further, there may be shiftingfrom the ideal position at the time of positioning the semiconductorchip 910. In particular, cases where there is slight shifting in the Xor Y directions or in the direction of rotation from the ideal positionon the occasion of mounting of the semiconductor chip 910 on the X-Ystage 40 are common. Shifts in the direction of rotation can then beseen as relatively large variations at the corner pads of thesemiconductor chip 910. In this embodiment, the initial vector describedabove is calculated taking note of corner probe marks in order toaverage out shifts in the direction of rotation and other shifts. It ispreferable to calculate vectors from probe marks taken as models for allof the electrode pads to probe marks formed by the probe test in orderto completely average out the shifts. On the other hand, this processingtakes a great deal of time due to there being a great deal ofcalculation involved. It goes without saying that it is preferable todetect the probe marks at high speed. The above configuration ispreferable with regards to this point due to the fact that calculatingthe initial vector taking note of the four corner pads is capable ofaveraging out shifts in the direction of rotation in a sufficientlyreliable manner so as to enable initial vectors to be calculatedquickly.

In this embodiment, the initial vectors are calculated using the centralposition Ci and the central position Cm. However, it is also possible toobtain the initial vector drawn from an average position of some or allof the barycentric positions of the model corner probe marks 831, 833,834 and 836 to an average position for some or all of the barycentricpositions of the corresponding corner probe marks 931, 933, 934 and 936.Further, it is also possible to calculate the initial vectors based onprescribed probe marks other than the model corner probe marks and thecorner probe marks.

Referring again to FIG. 12, when the initial vector calculating process(step S210) finishes, the probe mark checking unit 170 carries outdetermination range calculation processing in order to determine thequality of the probe marks (step S220). As described above, providingthere are no abnormalities with the test probe, the probe marks formedat the electrode pads by the probe test are positioned in a vicinitythat is in a direction and distance shown by the initial vector from theprobe mark taken as a model. The range indicating the limit that can besaid to be this vicinity is referred to here as the determination range.It is necessary to decide this determination range taking intoconsideration an amount of shift of the probe mark position formed dueto a prescribed test probe taken as a model, a maximum amount of shiftof all of the probe mark positions formed by the test probe taken as allof the models, and an amount of shift occurring due to age deteriorationdue to a number of probe tests. The following is a description withreference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an amount of shift due to afirst probe Pr1 and FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating an amountof shift due to a second probe Pr2. In the drawings, Ra shows an extentof shifting of probe mark positions formed by the first and secondprobes Pr1 and Pr2 of different shapes, with a dotted line showing therange of this shifting. This amount of shifting Ra can be obtained inadvance using numerical calculations from the amount of flexing andbending based on the shape of the first and second probes Pr1 and Pr2,rigidity of metal constituting this material, and applied load, etc.

Further, RM in the drawings shows the maximum amount of shift in all ofthe probe mark positions formed by all of the test probes used when thefirst and second probes Pr1 and Pr2 are taken as model test probes. Thisamount of shift RM can easily be obtained from the positions of all ofthe probe marks registered as models. For example, it is possible toconsider calculating a difference between a respective minimum value andmaximum value for an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate for barycentriccoordinates for a probe mark registered as a model, divide values forwhich this difference is larger by two to give a value, and then takethis value with Ra added as RM. The amount of shift RM being bigger thanthe amount of shift Ra depends on the presence of slight variations inthe shape etc. of each test probe and the presence of slight variationsin a fitting position varying slightly from a calculated position.

Further, RT in the drawings shows the maximum amount of shift in all ofthe probe mark positions formed by all of the test probes taking intoconsideration shifts occurring due to age deterioration due to carryingout a plurality of probe tests. This amount of shift RT can easily beobtained from all of the positions of probe marks actually formed butthis is troublesome and takes a great deal of time as it requires agreat deal of calculation and involves a substantial amount ofprocessing. It goes without saying that it is preferable to detect theprobe marks at high speed. The amount of shift RT is calculated bymultiplying the amount of shift RM by a prescribed coefficient largerthan 1 obtained taking into consideration experience of the influence ofage deterioration. This may also be calculated taking into considerationthe amount of shift of the four corner probe marks. The determinationrange of the probe mark checking unit 170 has a determination range thatis a circle with the calculated shift amount RT as a radius.

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 reads images for electrode padstaken as targets of a probe mark check from the large capacity storageunit 160 (step S230). Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 carries outprocessing to determine quality of probe marks included in the read-outelectrode pad images (step S240). A description of the details of theprocessing (subroutine) for this quality determination process will nowbe described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure for thissubroutine.

The probe mark checking unit 170 reads out from the large capacitystorage unit 160 barycentric coordinates for probe marks pre-registeredas models corresponding to the electrode pads read out in step S230(step S241).

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 calculates coordinates for apoint in a direction and distance specified by the initial vectorcalculated in step S230 from the barycentric positions of the probemarks taken as models read out in step S230. Ideally, it is preferableto set the determination range taking this point as center because thereis a barycentric coordinate for the probe mark formed by a probe test inthe vicinity of this point (the center coordinate).

Next, the probe mark checking unit 170 sets the determination range as acircle taking the amount of shift RT calculated in step S220 as a radiusand taking the center coordinate of the determination range calculatedin step S242 as center (step S243). Here, the determination range istaken to be a circle but any kind of shape such as a square, etc. isalso possible.

Further, the probe mark checking unit 170 detects probe marks from aprescribed region of the electrode pad image within the determinationrange set in step S243 (step S244). Well known image processing methodssuch as detection methods based on pixel luminance etc. can be used indetection of probe marks. It is therefore not necessary to check thewhole of the image for the electrode pads because in this embodiment,only probe marks for a prescribed region within the determination rangeare detected. It is therefore possible to detect probe marks at highspeed.

Next, the probe mark detecting unit 170 determines whether or not probemarks are detected in step S244 (step S245). When a probe mark isdetected, the probe mark is determined to be good, the determinationresults are stored in memory etc. and the processing of FIG. 12 isreturned to (step S246). When a probe mark is not detected, the probemark is determined to be bad, the determination results are stored inmemory etc. and the processing of FIG. 12 is returned to (step S247). Instep S244, when part of a probe mark is detected within thedetermination range, this is handled as though a probe mark is notdetected because the whole of the probe mark cannot be detected.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of probe mark detection in probemark quality determination processing. An image 927 of an electrode padshown in FIG. 19 includes a probe mark 937 formed by a probe test on acurrent occasion and probe marks 957 a, 957 b and 957 c formed by probetests on a previous occasion and beforehand. Further, the probe mark 837registered as a model corresponding to the probe mark 937 is shown bythe dotted lines in FIG. 15 and the barycentric positions of the probemarks are shown by cross-marks. Referring to FIG. 19, probe mark 937 ispresent within a circle of radius RT from the center coordinate of thedetermination range and a probe mark is detected from the image withinthe circular determination range. A determination is therefore made thatthe probe mark 937 is good.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a further example of probe mark detection inprobe mark quality determination processing. Each of the elements inFIG. 20 which is the same as in FIG. 19, is given the same numeral, anddescription thereof is omitted. The example shown in FIG. 20 differsfrom the example shown in FIG. 19 in that probe mark 937 is presentoutside a circle of radius RT from the center coordinate of thedetermination range and a probe mark is therefore not detected from theimage within the circular determination range. A determination istherefore made that the probe mark 937 is poor.

Referring again to FIG. 12, when the above probe mark qualitydetermination process (step S240) ends, based on the results of thequality determination process, the probe mark checking unit 170 omitsthe process of step S260 when the probe mark is poor and carries out theprocess of step S270, and when the probe mark is good, carries out theprocess of step S260 (step S250).

Next, the probe mark detecting unit 170 carries out a probe markposition determination process to determine whether or not the probemark position is good for each probe mark that is determined to be good(step S260). A protective part (passivation part) is normally formed inthe vicinity of the edge of an electrode pad and problems such asconduction defects etc. may therefore occur in the probe test when theregion occupied by the probe mark overlaps with the region for theprotective part. It is therefore necessary to determine that the probemark position is poor when this kind of overlapping occurs.Specifically, maximum and minimum values are calculated for theX-coordinate and Y-coordinate of the probe mark and quality of the probemark position is then determined by determining whether or not thesecoordinates fall within the region of the protective part.

FIG. 21 is a view showing maximum values and minimum values forX-coordinates and Y-coordinates of probe marks. In FIG. 21, Xmax showsthe maximum value of the X-coordinate of the probe mark, Xmin shows theminimum value of this X-coordinate, Ymax shows the maximum value of theY-coordinate, and Ymin shows the minimum value of the Y-coordinate. Theimage 927 of the electrode pad shown in FIG. 21 has a protective partformed in the vicinity of the edge. However, none of Xmax, Xmin, Ymaxand Ymin fall within the protective part and the region occupied by theprobe mark 937 can therefore be determined not to overlap with thisprotective part.

Problems may, however, occur in cases where the region occupied by theprobe mark 937 is close to the protective part, and it may therefore benecessary to perform a detailed check (step S7). In the above probe markposition determination process, the extent of the proximity of theregion occupied by the probe mark 937 and the protective part iscollectively determined. The following is a description with referenceto FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a view showing a borderline for determining thisextent of proximity. When the value of one of Xmax, Xmin, Ymax and Yminis a coordinate corresponding to outside of a first borderline 901, theprobe mark is within or is extremely close to the protective part andthe probe position is determined to be poor. When the value is acoordinate corresponding to inside of the first borderline 901 but is acoordinate corresponding to outside of a second borderline 902, theprobe mark does not overlap with the protective part but is relativelyclose and the probe mark position is determined to require furtherinvestigation. When the value is a coordinate corresponding to inside ofthe second borderline 902, the probe mark is distanced from theprotective part and the probe mark position is determined to be good.The results of this determination (poor, requires further investigation,good) are stored temporarily in memory etc.

Referring again to FIG. 12, when the above probe mark positiondetermination process (step S260) ends, the probe mark determinationunit 170 performs processing to make a prescribed classification headerbased on each of the determination results temporarily stored in memoryetc. The classification header may include, for example, test date,tester number, probe model (model probe mark) number, wafer productname, wafer lot number, chip number, pin (electrode pad) number, probedetermination (probe quality determination) results, probe positiondetermination results, and prescribed probe mark detection parameters,etc. The probe determination (probe mark quality determination) resultsinclude data indicating “good or poor” as results obtained in the probemark quality determination process (step S240) and a shift amount RTobtained in the determination range calculation process (step S220). Theprobe position determination process includes data indicating “poor”,“requires further investigation”, and “good” obtained in the probe markposition determination process (step S260). Prescribed probe markdetermination parameters may include barycentric coordinates for a probemark, and Xmax, Xmin, Ymax and Ymin values, and may further include areaand aspect ratio of the probe mark obtained through prescribedcalculations. The classification header including the above contentcorrelated with image files of the electrode pads is stored in (aprescribed folder etc. of) the large capacity storage unit 160. By usingthis classification header, images of electrode pads to be checked canbe efficiently designated and read out during detailed checks (step S7)carried out afterwards.

Next, the probe mark detecting unit 170 reads out images for all of theelectrode pads included in the semiconductor chip 91 and determineswhether or not checking has been performed (step S280). When all of theimages are not read out, in order to read out an image for the nextelectrode pad, the process of step S230 is returned to, and the aboveprocessing is repeated until all of the images are read out(S230→S240→S250→(S260)→S270→S280→S230). When all of the images are readout, checks for all of the probe marks included in the semiconductorchip 91 are complete. Continuing on, photographing of the electrode padsincluded in the next semiconductor chip included in the semiconductorwafer 90 takes place, and then the same processing as described above(step S210 to step S270) is commenced in order to check probe marks onthe electrode pads. This process is then repeated until photographingand probe mark checking are complete for all of the semiconductor chipsincluded in the semiconductor wafer 90.

In the above, the probe mark checking operation of the computer 10including the above processing (step S210 to step S270) is carried outafter completion of the photographing operation for the electrode padsof the semiconductor chip but if the processing speed of the computer 10is sufficiently high, it is also possible to carry out the probe markchecking operation for each pad every time a single electrode pad isphotographed. These operations may also be carried out concurrently.

4. Effects

According to this embodiment, the probe mark reading device moves thesemiconductor wafer 90 mounted on the mounting table in the X-directionat a fixed speed using the X-Y stage 40, with pictures being taken inorder of the electrode pads lit up by bursts of light from the lightsource 30 by the CCD camera 20. With this configuration, the probe markreading device is capable of acquiring images for electrode pads andread probe marks without putting a user to any trouble and in a shortperiod of time.

Further, according to this embodiment, the probe mark reading device isconfigured so as to photograph electrode pads lit up for a short periodof time by bursts of light from the light source 30 in order using theCCD camera 20. With this configuration, the probe mark reading device iscapable of ensuring that images taken do not blur and also that imagescan be captured with a device configuration that is straightforward andinexpensive compared with control using devices having physicalshutters, etc.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the trigger signal generator110 included in this probe mark reading device calculates coordinatescorresponding to central positions of all of the electrode pads to bephotographed based on layout information Ia relating to the layout ofthe semiconductor chips 91 stored in the wafer information storage unit105 and the layout of the electrode pads 92 etc. As a result, it ispossible to read a multiplicity of probe marks formed at a multiplicityof electrode pads which are by no means arranged at equal intervals andfor which the possibility of the layout position changing depending onthe semiconductor wafer exists at high speed.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the probe mark reading devicecarries out time-consuming difference operations for images only whencalculating initial vectors, with determination of quality of the probemarks in other probe mark checks then being carried out based on initialvectors and prescribed determination range (shift amount RT). It istherefore possible to determine probe mark quality and probe markposition of probe marks formed by a final probe test at a high speedeven in cases where a plurality of probe marks are included in the imagetaken for an electrode pad. For example, if difference operations are tobe carried out of subtracting the images for before a probe test fromthe images for one thousand electrode pads (i.e. 1000 pins), the timerequired to perform one difference operation is approximately 200milliseconds and the time required to read out one image for before thefinal probe test is in the order of 30 milliseconds. The time requiredto read all of the probe marks is therefore in the order of 230 seconds(approximately four minutes). In this respect, when the probe markchecking of this embodiment is carried out on images for one thousandelectrode pads, the time required to detect one probe mark is in theorder of 10 milliseconds and a check of all the probe marks is completedin ten seconds. It can therefore be understood that the probe markchecking of this embodiment can be carried out at extremely high speed.Further, according to a difference operation in pixel units, there isthe possibility of erroneous detections etc. occurring due to shifts atthe time of acquisition of an image but according to the probe markchecking operation of this embodiment, reliable probe mark checks can becarried out without being influenced by shifting at the time of imageacquisition or changes in pixel luminance etc. because relative positiondetection is carried out based on an initial vector.

5. Modified Examples

In the above embodiment, the central coordinates and photographingpositions for the (images 51 including images taken for the) electrodes92 coincide. A configuration is adopted having just a single electrodepad 92 included in the image data Di but the number of electrode pads 92to be photographed once may also be multiple. For example, when centralposition of a straight line connecting the central positions of adjacentelectrode pads, i.e. the central positions of adjacent electrode padsand photographing positions coincide, there are two electrode pads 92included in the image data Di.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an image 51 including imagestaken for two electrode pads 92 a and 92 b with this configuration. Thecentral positions of the regions within trimming borderlines 52 a and 52b corresponding to the electrode pads 92 a and 92 b can then easily becalculated from the layout information Ia relating to the layout etc. ofthe electrode pads 92 a and 92 b indicated by the wafer informationstorage unit 105. It is therefore straightforward to set trimmingboundary lines 52 a and 52 b with respect to the image 51. Trimmed imagedata Di′ is therefore easily created from an image taken for electrodepads 92 a and 92 b within trimming boundary lines 52 a and 52 b withoutit being necessary to perform trimming processing by recognizing theimage taken for the electrode pad 92 a and 92 b using well-known imagerecognition processing.

When the CCD camera 20 has extremely high resolution, images for agreater number of electrode pads can be obtained using one-timephotographing operations. FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of animage 51 including images taken for four and a half electrode pads 92 ato 92 e, Central positions of trimming border lines 52 a to 52 ecorresponding to images taken for the electrode pads 92 a to 92 e caneasily similarly be calculated from layout information Ia relating tothe arrangement of electrode pads etc. indicated by the waferinformation storage unit 105. A plurality of trimmed image data Di′composed of images taken for the electrode pads 92 a to 92 e within thetrimming border lines 52 a to 52 e can then easily be made. Here, theimage for the electrode pad 92 e is discarded because the whole of thepad is not photographed but a configuration where the whole of the imageis created by synthesis with the remaining portion of the image takennext is also possible.

According to the configuration where images for two or more electrodepads are acquired through one photographing operation, it is possible toacquire images for two or more electrode pads in order in the time thatthe CCD camera 20 takes to photograph a single image. It is thenpossible to move the (mounting table of the) X-Y stage 40 at a speed oftwo times greater, or more. With this configuration, the probe markreading device is capable of acquiring images for electrode pads andread probe marks in a still shorter period of time. In the abovemodified example, the plurality of photographed electrode pads areadjacent to each other in the X-direction as shown in FIG. 10. However,a configuration where a plurality of electrode pads adjacent to eachother in the Y-direction or a plurality of electrode pads adjacent toeach other in the X-direction and the Y-direction are photographed onceis also possible. With this configuration, it is possible to make thedistance moved in the Y-direction of the photographing position aftercompletion of reading in the X-direction large (for example, two linesor more). It is then possible to acquire images of electrode pads andread probe marks in a short period of time.

In the above embodiment, the light source 30 lights up the prescribedportion by generating a high-intensity burst of light for just a shorttime of a few microseconds from the time of being provided with a flashsignal Sf so as to enable the CCD camera 20 to acquire a photographedimage with no blurring. Providing that the configuration is capable oftaking images that do not blur, a configuration where a shutter deviceis provided at some point in the light path from the light source 30,via the semiconductor wafer 90 to a light-receiving element built-intothe CCD camera 20 so as to normally block the light path, and then openthe light path for just a short period of time. The shutter device mayalso be implemented electronically. According to these configurations,the light source 30 is by no means limited to a flash such as, forexample, a xenon flash lamp. It is also possible to adopt aconfiguration where the X-Y stage 40 is controlled in such a manner thatthe speed of movement before moving to the electrode pads at thephotographing position is slowed down in order to take images using theCCD camera 20 that are not blurred. However, the average speed willbecome slower with this configuration due to repeated acceleration anddeceleration. The above embodiment is therefore more preferable whenmovement takes place at a fixed fast speed.

In the above embodiment, a configuration is adopted where aphotographing position is consecutively moved by moving the position ofa semiconductor wafer 90 to be photographed using an X-Y stage 40.However, rather than using an X-Y stage 40, a camera moving device orcamera oscillating device where the photographing position is moved inthe X-direction or Y-direction by changing the position or photographingangle of the CCD camera 20 could also be provided. Moreover, it is alsopossible to have a configuration where a reflection angle changingdevice is provided, where a reflecting mirror is arranged and the X-Ystage omitted so that an image of the electrode pad 92 is provided tothe CCD camera 20 via the reflecting mirror, with the photographingposition of the CCD camera 20 then being changed in the X-direction andthe Y-direction by changing the angle of the reflecting mirror.Moreover, a configuration where photographing positions areconsecutively moved to as a result of an appropriate combination ofthese configurations is also possible.

In the above embodiment, a configuration is adopted where electrode pads92 included on a single semiconductor chip of a semiconductor wafer 90are photographed in order but it is also possible to photograph thewhole of the semiconductor wafer 90 in order. Namely, it is alsopossible to photograph electrode pads 92 included on a plurality ofsemiconductor chips during photographing in the X-direction in order. Inthe case of this kind of photographing, which photographed electrodepads correspond to which semiconductor chip can easily be determinedbased on the layout information Ia relating to layout etc. of thesemiconductor chips indicated by the wafer information storage unit 105.

In the above embodiment, feedback control can be carried out based onthe encoder signal Se from the X-Y stage 40. However, without basingcontrol on this encoder signal Se, in cases where reliable determinationof a position where the mounting table of the X-Y stage 40 is intendedto be is possible using the X-Y stage controller 120, it is alsopossible to carry out control based on this intended position.

In the above embodiment, a probe mark checking operation is carried outon images for electrode pads obtained by consecutively taking picturesof a semi conductor wafer 90 on (a mounting table of) an X-Y stage 40moving at a fixed speed using a CCD camera 20. However, it is sufficientfor images taken of electrode pads to exist in order to implement theprobe mark checking operation. It is by no means necessary to carry outthe aforementioned photographing operation as a prerequisite of theprobe mark checking operation and, for example, images or electrode padsmay be acquired using a related photographing operation. Images forelectrode pads taken by a different device to this device may then beprovided to this device, so that probe mark checking is carried outbased on these provided images. The embodiment as described above mayalso be applied to probe mark test devices for performing just probemark checking operations.

In the above embodiment and modified examples, a configuration isadopted where electrode pads 92 included in a semiconductor chip arephotographed. However this invention is applicable to any configurationwhere electrode pads included in a prescribed object other than thesemiconductor chip are photographed or checked. In such a case,coordinates of each electrode pad in a prescribed coordinate system setwith respect to the object can easily be calculated based on prescribedlayout information relating to layout etc. of the electrode pads.

While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoingdescription is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It isunderstood that numerous other modifications and variations can bedevised without departing from the scope of the invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2002-312579 entitled “Probe Mark Reading Device and Probe MarkReading Method” filed on Oct. 28, 2002, and Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2003-194541 entitled “Probe Mark Reading Device and Probe MarkReading Method” filed on Jul. 9, 2003, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

1. A probe mark reading device for reading probe marks formed onelectrode pads during checking of electrical characteristics of aprescribed object including a plurality of electrode pads, comprising:an illuminating unit for illuminating the plurality of electrode pads; aphotographing unit for photographing a part of the plurality ofelectrode pads illuminated by the illuminating unit and outputtingimages obtained by photographing as electrical signals; a photographingposition changing unit for enabling photographing all the plurality ofelectrode pads by consecutively changing a photographing position to bephotographed by the photographing unit; and a storage unit for receivingthe electrical signals from the photographing unit and saving the imageobtained from the electrical signals, wherein an image of the part ofthe plurality of electrode pads to be photographed is supplied to thephotographing unit for just a prescribed time in which the photographingposition changing unit positions the photographing position to coincidewith the position of the part of the plurality of electrode pads.
 2. Theprobe mark reading device of claim 1, wherein the photographing positionchanging unit changes the photographing position at a predefined movingspeed so as to enable photographing in order of images for all of theelectrode pads in such a manner as to open up a time gap ofphotographing time required to acquire a single image in the case ofconsecutive photographing by the photographing unit or longer.
 3. Theprobe mark reading device of claim 1, wherein an image of the part ofthe plurality of electrode pads to be photographed by the photographingunit is provided as a result of the illuminating unit being providedwith a flash emitting a flash of light for just a prescribed period oftime in the vicinity of the time where the part of the plurality ofelectrode cads is photographed by the photographing unit.
 4. Thc probemark reading device of claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit forstoring layout information that is data relating to layout positions ofthe plurality of electrode pads; and a trigger unit for calculating aposition for the part of the plurality of electrode pads to bephotographed by the photographing unit based on the layout informationstored in the storage unit and enabling a photograph to be taken by thephotographing unit when the photographing position changing unitpositions the photographing position to coincide with the position ofthe part of the plurality of electrode pads.
 5. The probe mark readingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a probe mark checking unit fordetermining quality of prescribed probe marks included in the imagebased on the image stored in the storage unit, wherein the probe markchecking unit comprises: an initial vector calculator for calculating aninitial vector equivalent to a vector drawn from a position of apre-registered model probe mark relating to a prescribed electrode padselected from the plurality of electrode pads to a probe mark positionformed on the prescribed electrode pad; and a probe mark qualitydetermination unit for determining whether or not a probe mark formed onan electrode pad different to the prescribed electrode pad is detectedwithin a prescribed determination range including a position in thedirection and distance of the initial vector from the position of thepre-registered probe mark relating to the different electrode pad. 6.The probe mark reading device of claim 5, wherein the probe markchecking unit includes a probe mark position determination unit fordetermining whether or not a probe mark overlaps with a prescribedregion set for the vicinity of the edge of an electrode pad includingthe probc mark detcctcd by the probe mark quality determination unit. 7.The probe mark reading device of claim 5, wherein the probe markchecking unit further comprises a classification header generator forgenerating classification header information including informationidentifying each electrode pad included in the object and determinationresults of the probe mark quality determination unit and storing theclassification header information correlating corresponding electrodepad images in the storage unit.
 8. The probe mark reading device ofclaim 5, wherein the initial vector calculator comprises: a detector fordetecting probe marks formed by the electrical characteristic check byperforming a difference operation on the images saved in the storageunit and images for the prescribed electrode pads taken in advancebefore checking the electrical characteristics; and a calculator forcalculating an initial vector equivalent to the vector from the positionof the probe mark taken as the pre-registered model correlating to theprescribed electrode pad to the position of the probe mark detected bythe detector.
 9. The probe mark reading device of claim 5, wherein theinitial vector calculator calculates the initial vector based on thevector from the position ohhc probe mark that is the pre-registeredmodel correlating to each of the electrode pads for four electrodespositioned in the vicinity of the corners of the object to the positionof the probe mark formed on each of the elcctrode pads, and the probemark quality determination unit determines whether or not a probe markformed on an electrode pad different to the prescribed four electmdepads is detected within a prescribed determination range including aposition in the direction and distance of the initial vector from theposition of the pre-registered probe mark relating to the differentelectrode pad.
 10. A probe mark reading method for reading probe marksformed on elcctrode pads during checking of electrical characteristicsof a prescribed object including a plurality of electrode pads,comprising: an illuminating step of illuminating the plurality ofelectrode pads; a photographing step of photographing a part of theplurality of electrode pads illuminated in the illuminating step andoutputting images obtained by photographing as electrical signals; animage position changing step of enabling photographing all the pluralityof electrode pads by consecutively changing a photographing position tobe photographed in the photographing step; and a storage step ofreceiving the electrical signals outputted in the photographing step andsaving images obtained from the electrical signals. wherein an image ofthe part of the plurality of electrode pads to be photographed in thephotographing step is supplied for just a prescribed time in which thephotographing position changing unit positions the photographingposition to coincide with the position of the part of the plurality ofelectrode pads.
 11. The probe mark reading method of claim 10, whereinthe photographing position changing step is such that the photographingposition is changed at a predefined moving speed so as to enablephotographing in order of images for all of the electrode pads in such amanner as to open up a time gap of photographing time required toacquire a single image in the case of consecutive photographing in thephotographing step or longer.
 12. The probe mark reading method of claim10, wherein the illuminating step is such that an image of the part ofthe plurality of electrode pads to be photographed in the photographingstep is supplied by generating a flash of light for just a prescribedtime in which the part of the plurality of electrode pads is to bephotographed in the photographing step.
 13. The probe mark readingmethod of claim 10, further comprising a probe mark checking step ofdetermining quality of prescribed probe marks included in the imagebased on the image stored in the storage step, wherein the probe markchecking step comprises: an initial vector calculating step ofcalculating an initial vector equivalent to a vector drawn from aposition of a pre-registered model probe mark relating to a prescribedelectrode pad selected from the plurality of electrode pads to a probemark position formed on the prescribed electrode pad; and a probe markquality determination step of determining whether or not a probe markformed on an electrode pad different to the prescribed electrode pad isdetected within a prescribed determination range including a position inthe direction and distance of the initial vector from the position ofthe pre-registered probe mark relating to the different electrode pad.